Info on GMRS two-way radios?

[MECH8T7]

I'm thinking about getting a set of two way radios for our WDW trip during the week before Easter.

My understanding is that GMRS radios may be a better alternative compared to FRS two-way radios, but you need a get an FCC license/permit to operate.

Has anybody had any experience in the parks with GMRS radios that they can share?

Any idea whether you'd still need a license if you were not a U.S. resident and only using to operate for a week long visit? (For now, you don't need one to use them in Canada.)

 

[Thediskids]

I would also like to have some info on this subject please

 

[cranbiz]

I have a GMRS license and use GMRS all the time. The license is $75.00 for 5 years and you can get it on line from the FCC. It is only available to US citizens.

The biggest difference is the power of the radios, the number of channels available to the users and the fact that you can use different types of channel guard methods that the FRS radio people don't have.

I use professional type portable radios (Motorola) that have 5 watt output and they cover a 4-5 mile radius. I also have a 50 watt mobile which has greater range, but is useless at Disney (unless I'm trying to call from the parking lot to inside)

Professional type radios are expensive and a little big to carry at Disney. I have found that cell phones (I have Sprint with the walkie talkie feature, like a Nextel) work better as they are smaller, easier to carry and have just as good , if not better coverage.

Now you can get smaller GMRS radios, but the smaller the size, usually the less power which means less range.

GMRS also shares with FRS but a decent GMRS will outperform a decent FRS radio.

FRS is available to anyone, no license needed, but only expect one park coverage and lot's of competition for airtime (because everyone has one).

Like anything, you would get away with using GMRS for a weeks time unlicensed, but it's not right.

I don't know if a reciprical agreement is in place with Canada on those frequencies, I do know that US GMRS users cannot use certain GMRS frequencies near the Canadian border.

Hope I have shed some light on the subject.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I'm thinking about getting a set of two way radios for our WDW trip during the week before Easter.

My understanding is that GMRS radios may be a better alternative compared to FRS two-way radios, but you need a get an FCC license/permit to operate.

Has anybody had any experience in the parks with GMRS radios that they can share?

Any idea whether you'd still need a license if you were not a U.S. resident and only using to operate for a week long visit? (For now, you don't need one to use them in Canada.)

personally, unless you want to pony up serious money for a high wattage set I would go with a family share or friends network type of cell phone arrangement.

We did the GMRS for our first trip and they worked fairly well. Just be sure you have a set with a boatload of subchannels or security codes. Problem is unless you have serious wattage (which is expensive) and also pay the licensing fee (more $) then you won't have hotel room to park or car to park coverage. You will have fairly good coverage in the parks, with occasional (or more frequent) chatter.

My girlfriend needed a cell phone anyway. I already had a cell phone so we just added another 50 dollars a month and we have unlimited calling to one another anywhere in the US. Plus we needed them anyway for our jobs. So when we went on the next trip if one of us had to go bacvk to the hotel, it was simple to talk to the other one and my daughter no matter where we all were. Very convenient... except I got sent here and there to scavange for things...hahahahaha ...

 

[OntFamily]

I have a GMRS license and use GMRS all the time. The license is $75.00 for 5 years and you can get it on line from the FCC. It is only available to US citizens.

You do not need to be a US citizen to obtain a USA GMRS license. You only need $75, and the ability to fill out a form. In fact, the FCC has separate forms for those registering from outside the US (I guess they'll take money from anyone).

You will also need to obtain a FCC registration number (it is available free online).

 

[kandeebunny]

Only FRS/GMRS with a range of more than 2 miles needs a liscence. We use cheap motorola ones and can usually get ahold of each other with no troubles.

I used to sell these things, if you're going to buy them AVOID Best Buy, go to Wal-Mart buy the 2 mile Motorola ones!

 

[MECH8T7]

You do not need to be a US citizen to obtain a USA GMRS license. You only need $75, and the ability to fill out a form. In fact, the FCC has separate forms for those registering from outside the US (I guess they'll take money from anyone).

You will also need to obtain a FCC registration number (it is available free online).

You do need a U.S. mailing address, however. They will allow you to send it to a hotel but I decided to list my sister-in-law's address in case the FCC sends any further mail. I didn't want AKL getting my junk mail!